Variable Foundation Garment

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to the field of foundation garments for a use on a portion of a leg, such as a thigh and buttocks. The garment is made from a compression material that improves the look of the leg area of the wearer under clothing. Further, the top edge of the garment provides a natural lift and support to the lower buttocks area of the user. In addition, the garment can include a plurality of elastic bands which aid in retaining the garment on the leg or lower buttocks area of the wearer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of foundation garments. More specifically, the present invention relates to a foundation garment for providing support and lift to the leg, thigh and buttocks. The garment is comprised of a compression material that improves the look of the thigh area of the wearer beneath their clothing. Further, the top edge of the garment provides a natural lift to the lower buttocks area of the individual. In addition, the garment can have a plurality of elastic bands which aid in retaining the garment on the leg and lower buttocks area of the wearer. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many women wear a variety of clothing but are unhappy with the shape of their bodies and the effect it has on the shape and look of the clothing they are wearing. This is specifically true for the thigh or upper leg area, in addition to the buttocks area. Foundation or shapewear garments exist in the art but are typically comprised of an underwear-like structure that covers the legs, buttocks, and stomach of the wearer. As a result, if a woman does not need or desire shapewear in the stomach or full buttocks area or feels discomfort in wearing such garments, she must cut or modify existing shapewear garments to fit her desired need or preference.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved leg, thigh and buttocks foundation garment. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved leg, thigh and buttocks garment that impermanently alters or modifies a portion of the wearer's body shape to achieve a more preferred or slimmer figure, and to make the body area covered by the garment more presentable in the mind of the wearer. Finally, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a leg, thigh and buttocks foundation garment that only shapes certain or select areas of the wearer.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an improved leg and buttocks foundation or support garment. The garment is made of an elastic compression material. The garment encloses the upper thigh area of the wearer. In addition, the garment covers and surrounds the lower buttocks area in a manner that follows the natural contour of the buttocks to provide a natural buttocks-lifting effect. Further, the garment can be worn on one single leg of the wearer.

In this manner, the improved leg and buttocks foundation garment of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides an improved foundation garment. Further, the garment creates a smooth appearance in the upper thigh/leg area as well as the lower buttocks area to change the appearance of the wearer. In addition, the garment provides a natural lift and support to the lower buttocks area of the wearer, which further improves the appearance of the wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key or critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an improved leg, thigh and buttocks foundation garment. The garment is constructed from an elastic compression material that may be made in a variety of colors in order to offer the individual differing embodiments of the garment. The garment also includes a top edge and a bottom edge that contain a plurality of continuous openings to facilitate the wearer positioning the garment on and around her leg and buttocks area. Further, each edge may have one or more integrated elastic bands which aid in retaining the garment in position on the leg and buttocks area and reduces any movement of the garment on the body of the wearer which may occur as part of a normal routine. In the preferred embodiment of the garment, a wearer can wear two garments simultaneously, with one garment being worn on each leg. The preferred embodiment of the garment also includes a one-piece continuous body that encloses the portions of the leg such as the thigh of the wearer. However, several embodiments of the garment may have a multi-part body component where each half or portion of the body connects to each other via a fastening mechanism such as a zipper or a plurality of hook and loop strap assemblies, snaps, buttons or other suitable fasteners or combinations thereof.

Accordingly, the improved leg, thigh and buttocks foundation garment of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a user with an effective garment to shape and slim their figure as needed. Further, the garment allows a user to only shape that upper thigh and lower buttocks area, which cannot be achieved with existing garments absent significant modification. Finally, the garment allows a wearer to naturally shape and lift her lower buttocks area. The garment may also aid in therapeutic treatment or post-surgical procedures where an individual has had surgery on a portion of the leg, such as hip surgery, and does not need to wear a full garment covering their entire lower body portion.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of one potential embodiment of a leg, thigh and buttocks foundation garment device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed specification;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of one potential embodiment of a leg, thigh and buttocks foundation garment device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of one potential embodiment of a leg, thigh and buttocks foundation garment device of the present invention showing a zipper as a closure element;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of one potential embodiment of a leg, thigh and buttocks foundation garment device of the present invention that further includes a hook and loop strap assembly as an additional closure element for the garment; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram showing an exemplary method of making a variable foundation garment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved leg, thigh and buttocks foundation garment. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved leg, thigh and buttocks garment that can be used to temporarily correct, modify or alter the wearer's body shape, and in doing so allows the wearer to achieve a more fashionable and slimmer figure to make the body area covered by the garment more presentable in the mind of the wearer. Finally, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a leg, thigh and buttocks foundation garment that only shapes the leg, thigh and lower buttocks area of the wearer.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of an improved leg, thigh and buttocks foundation garment. The garment has a top edge and a bottom edge that contain continuous openings to allow the wearer to place the garment on and around portions of her leg such as their thigh area. Further, each edge may have a plurality of integrated elastic bands which aid in retaining the garment on the leg, thigh and buttocks area and reduces or potentially eliminates any movement of the garment on the body of the individual while the garment is being worn. The elastic bands may vary in type so as to provide differing retention forces on different portions of the leg or thigh such that the user can adapt the foundation garment to address issues that may be greater in one leg than in the other. In a preferred embodiment of the garment, a wearer can wear two garments simultaneously, with one garment worn on each leg.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the garment may be a one-piece continuous body construction that encloses portions of the leg of the wearer. However, in differing embodiments of the garment may have a multi-part body with each part of the body connecting to the other via a fastening mechanism such as a zipper, a plurality of hook and loop strap assemblies, snaps, clasps, buttons or combinations thereof. Further, the garment includes one an elastic compression material that may be provided in a variety of colors in differing embodiments of the device.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of one potential embodiment of a leg, thigh and buttocks foundation garment device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed specification. In a preferred embodiment, the garment 100 has a continuous body 110 that has a compression fabric, which may also have elastic or semi-elastic properties in all or some portions of the garment, so as to allow the garment to apply differential pressure gradients in areas, or have a distinct compression zone where an individual requires more compression than in other areas. The device 100 can further be worn to shape and slim the upper thigh and lower buttocks area of the wearer and may also aid in therapeutic treatment or post-surgical procedures where an individual has had surgery on a portion of the leg, such as hip surgery, and does not need to wear a full garment covering their entire lower body portion. The body 110 may also include a material or treatment that may contain the following properties: anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, moisture-wicking, lotion-infused, scent-infused, medication-infused, water-resistant, waterproof, moisture-absorbent, biodegradable, etc. Further, in differing embodiments the body 110 may be a plurality of colors including but not limited to: taupe, black, brown, white, other various skin color shades, etc. In addition, the body 110 may have some personalization such as a plurality of indica 140 such as but not limited to patterns, designs, logos, etc.

The body 110 has a top edge 120 and bottom edge 130, with each edge 120, 130 forming an opening 122, 132 that is generally circular to allow the insertion of the legs of the individual into the garment. As such, the openings 122, 132 allow the garment 100 to be worn on a single leg of a wearer. Further, each edge 120, 132 has an internal pocket 124, 134 (see FIG. 3 ) that is created via seams 126, 136. Within each pocket 124, 134 there is an elastic band 128, 138 that is preferably circular and extends around the entire garment. Accordingly, the bands 128, 138 aid in securing the garment around the leg and or upper thigh area 10 of the wearer and ensure the garment 100 does not shift in position up and down the leg 10 of the wearer during use, by providing a compression force around the wearer's leg 10. The bands may also have different compression properties to create different compression or pressure zones as may be needed by the individual.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of one potential embodiment of a leg, thigh and buttocks foundation garment device 100 of the present invention. It should be noted that in this figure, the specific shape of the top edge 120 in relation to the buttocks 12 can be fully observed, that is a scalloped edge is created to lift and support the buttocks of the individual. The top edge 120 is preferably shaped in a concave-like manner such that the edge 120 mirrors the natural contour of the lower portion of the buttocks 12. In this regard, when the elastic bands 128, 138 apply compression around the leg 10 and the lower buttocks 12 area of the wearer, the garment 100 naturally lifts (or gives the impression of lifting) and supporting the buttocks 12 of the wearer to create a more desired appearance by the individual wearer. FIG. 2 also shows the different compression bands 129, 131 and 133 which create different compression or pressure zones. The amount of compression can be selected by the user when ordering the garment as will be discussed in connection with the FIG. 5 embodiment to allow for an individual to treat different legs uniquely to address an issue than one individual may have with one leg and not the other.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of one potential embodiment of a leg, thigh and buttocks foundation garment device 100 of the present invention that further includes a zipper 300. In one embodiment, the garment 100 may have a body portion 200 that has a front body panel 210 and a rear body panel 220 but is otherwise identical to the previously described embodiment. Further, the front body panel 210 can be secured to the rear body panel 220 via a zipper 300 and/or zipper assembly or other fastener. In this manner, the garment 100 can be unzipped, applied to a portion of the leg 10 and buttocks 12 area of the wearer, and then zipped or otherwise securing both panels 210, 220 together. As a result, the design of the non-continuous body 200 may allow a wearer to more easily put on the garment 100 and adjust the garment position around them.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of one potential embodiment of a leg, thigh and buttocks foundation garment device 100 of the present invention that further includes a hook and loop strap assembly in accordance with the disclosed specification. In this embodiment, the garment 100 has a hook and loop strap assembly in lieu of a zipper 300. The strap assembly allows the front panel 210 and rear panel 220 to be secured to one another. Each assembly has a strap 212 on the front panel 210 that has a loop top surface 214, and a strap 222 on the rear panel 220 that has a hook bottom surface 224, as well as a pull tab 226 that allows the wearer to tighten the strap 222 against the strap 212 of the front panel 210. In differing embodiments, the garment 100 can include any number of strap assemblies. In this manner, a wearer can easily tighten or loosen the fit of the garment 10 as necessary in order to apply, remove or wear the garment 100 comfortably.

Further, any embodiment of the garment 100 may have a plurality of relief cutouts 230. The cutouts 230 may be strategically positioned in any location on the body 110, 200 such that unnecessary compression in specific areas can be relieved or differential compression zones can be created. In this manner, the garment 100 is not overly tight in areas where compression is unneeded. As a result, the garment 100 is more comfortable for the wearer.

FIG. 5 sets forth an exemplary method of creating a variable foundation garment and includes the steps of an individual entering measurements for their leg, thigh and/or buttocks area at 510. Next, at step 520 a fabric type is selected such as natural or synthetic fiber-based material or combinations of the material. The user may add a particular color at step 524 and other personalization at step 522. The user may then select variable compression areas or zones at step 530 to provide a variable compression zone garment so that individual areas can be adjusted as is necessary to treat different conditions in different legs. Next, the garment is manufactured at step 540 and the garment is worn at step 550. The individual may adjust the compression areas or zones 560 so as to make sure the proper compression is being applied to the proper area of the portion of the leg such as the thigh or buttocks.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “improved leg and buttocks foundation garment”, “leg and buttocks foundation garment”, and “garment”, are interchangeable and refer to the leg and buttocks foundation garment 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the leg and buttocks foundation garment 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the leg and buttocks foundation garment 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the leg and buttocks foundation garment 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the leg and buttocks foundation garment 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the leg and buttocks foundation garment 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A foundation garment comprising: a garment having a front surface, a back surface, a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein each of the top edge and the bottom edge form an opening to allow for an insertion of a leg of a user therethrough; and an elastic band disposed along each of the top edge and bottom edge.
 2. The foundation garment as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the elastic bands are contained in a pocket.
 3. The foundation garment as recited in claim 2, wherein the pockets are stitched to the top edge and the bottom edge of the foundation garment.
 4. The foundation garment as recited in claim 1, wherein the garment is formed from a compression fabric.
 5. The foundation garment as recited in claim 4, wherein the compression fabric is comprised of at least one of a plurality of natural fibers, a plurality of synthetic fibers or a combination thereof.
 6. The foundation garment as recited in claim 1, wherein the front surface and back surface are secured together by a fastener.
 7. The foundation garment as recited in claim 6, wherein the fastener is selected from a group consisting of a zipper, a hook and loop strap assembly, a snap, a button or a combination thereof.
 8. The foundation garment as recited in claim 1, wherein the garment is comprised of a plurality of variable compression zones.
 9. The foundation garment as recited in claim 8, wherein the plurality of variable compression zones are created by elastic bands in different areas of the front surface and back surface of the garment.
 10. The foundation garment as recited in claim 8, wherein the plurality of variable compression zones may be different in each portion of the garment to treat different areas of the legs or buttocks.
 11. The foundation garment as recited in claim 4, wherein the compression fabric is comprised of at least one of an anti-bacterial agent, an anti-fungal agent, a moisture-wicking agent, a lotion-infused agent, a scent-infused agent, a medication-infused agent, a water-resistant agent, a waterproof agent, a moisture-absorbent agent, or a biodegradable element.
 12. A support and lifting garment comprising: a first garment sized and configured to fit on a first leg; a second garment sized and configured to fit on a second leg; each of the first and second garment having a top edge and a bottom edge with each of the top and bottom edges having an elastic band; and a fastening assembly provided on at least one of the first and second garments.
 13. The support and lifting garment as recited in claim 12, wherein the top edge is scalloped and contours to the shape of a buttocks of a wearer.
 14. The support and lifting garment as recited in claim 12, wherein each of the first garment and the second garment further comprises a compression band or zone.
 15. The support and lifting garment as recited in claim 14, wherein the compression band or zones in each of the first and second garments is different from one another.
 16. The support and lifting garment as recited in claim 12, wherein each of the first and second garments comprise a relief cutout for compression pressure relief.
 17. The support and lifting garment as recited in claim 12, wherein the fastening assembly is used to secure the first garment to the second garment.
 18. The support and lifting garment as recited in claim 17, wherein the fastening assembly is selected from a group consisting of a zipper, a hook and loop strap assembly, a snap, a button or a combination thereof.
 19. A method for making a variable compression garment comprising the steps of: providing measurements for at least a leg, a thigh and a buttocks area; selecting a fabric type; entering details for at least one variable compression zone details at least one of the leg, thigh and buttocks areas; manufacturing the variable compression garment out of the fabric type and having the at least one variable compression zone; wearing the variable compression garment to test the at least one variable compression zone; and adjusting the at least one variable compression zone.
 20. The method for making a variable compression garment as recited in claim 19, comprising a further step of selecting a color and a personalization feature after the step of selecting a fabric type. 